LESSON 14.

God did not create a meaningless world.

W-14.1. The idea for today is, of course, the reason why a meaningless world is impossible. 2 What God did not create does not exist. 3 And everything that does exist exists as He created it. 4 The world you see has nothing to do with reality. 5 It is of your own making, and it does not exist.

W-14.2. The exercises for today are to be practiced with eyes closed throughout. 2 The mind-searching period should be short, a minute at most. 3 Do not have more than three practice periods with today's idea unless you find them comfortable. 4 If you do, it will be because you really understand what they are for.

W-14.3. The idea for today is another step in learning to let go the thoughts that you have written on the world, and see the Word of God in their place. 2 The early steps in this exchange, which can truly be called salvation, can be quite difficult and even quite painful. 3 Some of them will lead you directly into fear. 4 You will not be left there. 5 You will go far beyond it. 6 Our direction is toward perfect safety and perfect peace.

W-14.4. With eyes closed, think of all the horrors in the world that cross your mind. 2 Name each one as it occurs to you, and then deny its reality. 3 God did not create it, and so it is not real. 4 Say, for example:

5 God did not create that war, and so it is not real.

6 God did not create that airplane crash, and so it is not real.

7 God did not create that disaster [specify], and so it is not real.

W-14.5. Suitable subjects for the application of today's idea also include anything you are afraid might happen to you, or to anyone about whom you are concerned. 2 In each case, name the "disaster" quite specifically. 3 Do not use general terms. 4 For example, do not say, "God did not create illness," but, "God did not create cancer," or heart attacks, or whatever may arouse fear in you.

W-14.6. This is your personal repertory of horrors at which you are looking. 2 These things are part of the world you see. 3 Some of them are shared illusions, and others are part of your personal hell. 4 It does not matter. 5 What God did not create can only be in your own mind apart from His. 6 Therefore, it has no meaning. 7 In recognition of this fact, conclude the practice periods by repeating today's idea:

8 God did not create a meaningless world.

W-14.7. The idea for today can, of course, be applied to anything that disturbs you during the day, aside from the practice periods. 2 Be very specific in applying it. 3 Say:

4 God did not create a meaningless world. 5 He did not create [specify the situation which is disturbing you], and so it is not real.